George Wallace: American Populist [Hardcover]

Stephan Lesher (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1994

The coauthor of Inside the Supreme Court presents a full-scale biography of the complex life and times of George Wallace, from rural poverty under Roosevelt to national prominence in the age of segregation. 30,000 first printing.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this substantial biography, written with Wallace's cooperation, Lesher's portrayal of the four-term Alabama governor as "the dominant and most important issue maker of his time," shifting national campaign rhetoric to the right, is convincing, if overstated. The author, a former Newsweek correspondent, traces the origins and development of Wallace's powers of hucksterism and his need for an audience, laying out his "extraordinary racial schizophrenia": because of his political ambition, Wallace allowed his populist support for bills that often benefited blacks to be overshadowed by his racist political positioning. Thus Lesher recounts the twists and turns of Wallace's many campaigns, including his epochal third-party presidential bid in 1968 and his defense of segregation. Lesher points out that Wallace's populism, unlike that of Reaganite Republicans, took on the rich, and tells how Wallace, crippled in a 1972 assassination attempt, recovered a humanity that led him to make public apologies for his racism. Though this book is an essential resource and Lesher writes well, readers seeking an account of Wallace's strange magnetism should also consult Marshall Frady's 1972 minibiography, Wallace.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Former Alabama governor and presidential candidate George Wallace is remembered primarily for his opposition to racial integration in the 1960s and 1970s. Journalist Lesher's biography provides ample documentation, if any is needed, that Wallace encouraged racism and benefited from it in his campaigns. However, Lesher also argues that Wallace recognized and tapped a strain of populist sentiment in American politics that later politicians as different as Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton successfully used to further their own political careers. Moreover, he asserts that "every successful presidential campaign from 1968 through 1992 was founded on popular issues and rhetoric first identified and articulated by Wallace." This may be an exaggeration, but it is true that many contemporary politicians have more in common with Wallace than they would be comfortable acknowledging. The most comprehensive biography available of Wallace; highly recommended for academic libraries.
- Thomas H. Ferrell, Univ. of Southwestern Louisiana, Lafayette
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 586 pages
• Publisher: Perseus Books; First Edition edition (January 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0201622106
• ISBN-13: 978-0201622102
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,153,078 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Objectively written, December 1, 1999

By 

CD Brookins - See all my reviews

This review is from: George Wallace: American Populist (Paperback)

This is one of the best books written about George Wallace, and by far, the most objective. While most writers tend to either praise or revile the former Alabama Governer, Mr. Lesher remains objective throughout the book. Not only does this book document Wallace's life and political career, it also details the impact that Wallace had on American Politics, an influence which is felt today. Overall, a superb read.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, October 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: George Wallace: American Populist (Paperback)

It surprises me that this book is already out of print. I read every Wallace book I can find and this is the most complete I've seen.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Reference, January 11, 2010

A Kid's Review

This review is from: George Wallace: American Populist (Paperback)

Great reference book concerning George Wallace, so much so that it deserves 5 stars. I wouldn't pick it up and read it cover-to-cover on a whim, though.